Who are these guys, how did they get so good, and can you believe in what you see?

The San Diego Padres have been in first place virtually the entire season, with one of the lowest payrolls in modern day baseball. And they have a month to go in the regular season, and are showing no signs of collapsing, nor being intimidated walking down the street in September.

If I told you the last night of the Cactus League, in March, that the Padres would lose their number-one starting pitcher, their top young long-ball hitter, their double-play combination and suffer a series of nagging injuries to their outfielders, would you think they’d even finish .500, much less be in first place with one of the best records in baseball? That’s how important people felt about Chris Young, Kyle Blanks, Evereth Cabrera, David Eckstein and others.

No one could have, imagined this team sitting in September with the best record in the National League, and the second best mark in all of baseball. And no one could have ever thought the Padres, with a 38.7M payroll, could be within one game of the Yankees in the standings, yes, those Yankees and their 210M payroll.

San Diego’s franchise is not a juggernaut, which is the primary reason the national media and the networks have virtually ignored the Padres all year, despite the fact the Padres have been atop the National League West standings all year.

Don’t call this team an aberration or living on borrowed time either, though this looks like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a team with little World Series success and poor postseason games, too. It takes a combination of solid seasons from players, the pitching staff, timely hitting, and staying free of catastrophic injuries to have a good season.

The Padres have a lone legitimate star in his prime, Adrian Gonzalez. But he no longer has to carry the load by himself. He is surrounded by a unique collection of talent.

They have three young pitchers who are growing up together in Mat Latos, Clayton Richard and Wade LeBlanc. Latos, nicknamed “Kid Gun,” has shown no fear taking the ball every fifth day. The Padres’ five-man rotation has made 122-of-124 starts this season, an amazing statistic of consistency, when you consider the wear and tear factor on starting pitchers.

And of course there is the “Chain Gang” of relievers, led by three setup men and volatile closer Heath Bell. If you have learned to trust the starters will be on the mound every day their number comes up, you trust the relievers to do their job, and have they ever.

And then there is the rest of the roster. Young players having good days and bad. Journeymen making contributions in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And a cross section of rental free agents, who are contributing too.

David Eckstien, the aging pepper-pot second baseman, knows about winning, having done it with the Angels and Cardinals. His clubhouse experience and history, coupled with his ability to communicate, have helped this team navigate through times that could have gotten rocky.

Ditto for catcher Yorvit Torrealba, and his ability to connect with the Latin players in the clubhouse. Multi-position infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston is a prime example of versatility and role playing.

This success revolves around contributions. Career minor leaguer Chris Denorfia has hit home runs, and chased down fly balls at big times. A young pup like Will Venable has proven his long ball ability and his acumen with the glove. Third baseman Chase Headley has learned from the peaks and valleys. He is much more consistent than erratic. Tony Gwynn Jr., despite a substandard year at the plate, has been a catalyst with the glove and a daring base stealer, the symbol of what the team does, night after night.

Late arrivals like aging Miguel Tejada and streak-hitting Ryan Ludwick have brought dangerous bats to the lineup. They don’t have big games every night, but they have made everyone else in the batting order feel more secure. The Friars now have four in the order who can bang bombs, not just two, as they did for much of the season.

Jon Garland, a career back-of the-rotation starter, has found a comfort zone in Petco Park, like nowhere else he has pitched. Yes he still puts lots of men on base, but he has shown more daring pitching in the bigger confines at home. All you need to see is his home ERA of 2.55 to understand how stable he has become to the rotation.

The bullpen has defined roles, and more than that, brazen confidence. Lefthander Joe Thatcher going after one batter in the lineup. Luke Gregorson’s wicked slider. Mike Adams strong eight inning stuff. And of course the gas, heat and persona of fearless free spirit closer Heath Bell, headed towards a 50-save season.

Teams change from year to year. Aging players wake up old. Arms get hurt. Players leave because of contracts. But for this summer, and this time right now, this is a special San Diego Padres clubhouse.

They don’t rattle, they don’t fear, they don’t get intimidated, and they believe. The season is such a grind, and yet San Diego’s longest losing streak this year is three games—that’s right, three games. The Friars not only get big hits, they do all the little things right. Few errors, stealing bases to manufacture runs, double plays to get out of trouble, amazing catches.

Still ahead though is the heat and humidity of a September pennant race, and the heat from playing the likes of the Phillies, then Dodgers, Giants, Reds and Cardinals, all of them involved in their own pennant race dogfights.

Keep this in mind: If the Padres finish with the best record in the National League, they get home field advantage in any series. If they were ever to grind their way into the World Series, because the National League won the All Star game, they would get home field advantage, too. With this pitching staff, the defense, the base stealers and the gloves, extra games in East Village would be a tremendous value.

Owner Jeff Moorad had hopes. Incoming GM Jed Hoyer had beliefs. Manager Bud Black has delivered. An amazing summer of baseball, that is not yet over.

Who are these guys? How did they get so good? Are they for real? Can you belive what you see? You should.

These are the first place San Diego Padres, worthy of a look in September. The country may not yet know them. By October, they will.

(To learn more about how a motivational t-shirt is inspiring the Padres, please read: BELIEVE.)